Which is better: Mac or PC?

Every time I buy a new computer, my husband and I do another heated round of “which is better” - Mac or PC. I’m a diehard Mac user, and my hubby is just as staunch a PC man. Despite our arguments on the subject for over 17 years, we still haven’t been able to convince the other to swing to our side.

Let me give you a bit of backstory. Back when I was a junior in high school, I participated in a school-to-work program in a graphic design studio and was first introduced to the Mac. In college I purchased an iMac. This was back in the heady days of the first iMacs. They were bright and playful and absolutely adorable. I saw this little baby and fell head over heels.

I still smile when I see this computer. It came with a game based on a brand new movie that was all the rage – “A Bug’s Life.” Apparently I wasn’t the only one who fell for this computer!

Well, I wore that one out, then moved on to my next iMac, the one that somehow meshed a volleyball and a lamp and came up with a computer. The swivel neck was actually pretty handy. My daughter is now using this computer for her writing.

Yes, I owned the volleyball lamp, cool enough to make it on the cover of Time Magazine!

This little workhorse plugged away for years. I was able to produce a mountain of graphic design work with this baby, but of course, something new came along and I had to have it!

The 27 inch iMac – a real beauty!

This is my current desktop. It’s especially been handy for laying out my books and for intensive Photoshop projects. When I moved into writing novels, I finally bought my first laptop because I needed something more portable. For the first time (gasp), I bought a PC, a little Asus laptop that did the job. I couldn’t justify the cost of a Mac when all I was using it for was writing since I was designing on the Mac. I wore that laptop out, and when it came time to buy a new one, my husband (assuming he had converted me) incorrectly assumed it would be a PC.

Since I’m moving into working with video and planning to do a lot more traveling and needed my design programs to be portable, I was able to justify the Macbook Pro. I seriously considered the gorgeous Macbook Air for a bit, but in the end, I needed the power so I went with the Pro. It’s speedy, the retina screen is bright and beautiful, I like the feel of the keys beneath my fingertips and the trackpad is silky smooth. I’m loving this Mac just as much as my original lime green iMac all those years ago.

In the end, I’ve come to realize there’s no “right” or “wrong” when it comes to computers. It’s more so what’s right or wrong for you. I’m fully aware of the arguments against Macs. They are expensive, and when it comes to specs, you can get more for the money with a PC. BUT, I’m a designer. I appreciate a well designed machine, and I actually use the software that comes with the Mac. Since I plan to use this baby heavily, I’m glad I paid a little more to get the experience I want every time I sit down to use it.

My husband, on the other hand, would be thinking how much he overpaid if he bought a Mac. When it comes to computers, he is less into aesthetics and experience as function. The computer is simply a tool to him, a tool that he wants to perform the task expected and nothing more. So for him, his new HP laptop is a perfect fit.

So what was your first computer? Have you remained faithful over the years, or have you switched between Macs and PCs?

Comments

After being a PC person for so long (simply because Macs were more expensive and still are), my older brother, a professional photographer, converted me to Macs in 2007 and I’ve never looked back since. That Macbook Pro lasted till 2011 and then I had to replace it with the one I have now, though the keyboard’s middle row of keys are just about shot and I have to use a bluetooth keyboard to type out my novels. Still, if this one goes, I’ll still buy a Macbook Pro next time around. Since then, I’ve only used Apple for just about everything. Love my iPhone 6plus a little too much!

You bring up an interesting point Liz. I wonder how many are converted to Macs through the persuasions of another Mac user or through the use of other Apple like products, like iPhones. We are a split household with computers and tablets – 2 iPads and 2 Android tablets. In some ways it would be nice from a compatibility pov to use the same devices, but to each their own I suppose Have not taken the leap to the iPhone 6plus yet, but totally drooling over it!

Nice post, Sarah. You took me down memory lane! Loved the hockey puck mouse and the handy handle on the top of the monitor. I never got the swivel head, though. Feel like I really missed out. Ha. I just got my MacBook Pro in December, so you and I are in similar Mac heaven there! Have fun with it!

Mentally, I am in the same camp as your Handsome Hubby. I am as frugal as they come, and my Family History software is not available for MAC. On the other hand (or my other mind), my laptop is a MacBook, and I really like it. I use Open Office on both (Neo Office on the MacBook) so I don’t have to switch gears too much when going back and forth. I guess I like them both for different reasons.

Compatibility with favorite software definitely influences choices, doesn’t it? I’ve never tried Neo and am curious what you think of it? As much as I love the Mac, I am glad I know how to use a PC because it’s come in handy over the years. Thanks so much for your comment!

I am so with you. I’m a total Mac person. While Jobs was alive, I liked to ask the question, Who alive would you most like to have dinner with? My answer: Steve Jobs. I think the Mac is an intuitive wondrous thing. And I used to sleep with my iPhone :).

That makes sense John. One of the biggest reasons why I use the Mac is I design with Mac software. Now I use Scrivener on a daily basis for writing and the Mac version is better. That Macbook sure has held up well.

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Well all of the 8 computers at our house are PCs… that tells you where our preferences lie – however – I have heard from several designers that the Mac is the way to go. Perhaps my daughter (as aspiring author who loves photography and graphic design) will end up exploring that option as well. Enjoy your Macbook Pro.

8 computers? Wow – that’s a lot! Like I said in the article, it’s a very personal decision and one that can change with time. I know designers who prefer PCs, but the vast majority of designers and writers I know prefer the mac. Best of luck to your daughter figuring it out!

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Hi, Sarah here, author of the The Shadow Wars series. I believe in the goodness of people. I believe the more we attempt to understand others, the deeper we will understand our own humanity. I explore that in my books. More about me.
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